Delaware County celebrates 224 years of unique history

Francisco Garcia is portraying an Aztec Indian and is blowing a Conch (sea shell) honoring the spirit world at the Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration held at Rose Tree Park. (Times staff / ROBERT J. GURECKI)

UPPER PROVIDENCE — A monthlong celebration of Delaware County history, arts and culture wrapped up in a big way Sunday at Rose Tree Park, with dozens of historical organizations, vendors, and sponsors treating a couple thousand attendees to a fun and fact-filled afternoon under sunny skies.

“There are a lot of great historical societies and historical locations in Delaware County and we have about 40 of them here today,” said David Belanger, director of the Delaware County Library System and one of the master planners for the event. “We have all of them displaying their wares, providing information, selling their T-shirts and such. Plus, we have some arts and crafts vendors and a lot of food vendors and of course we have our Native American celebration which is here because that is the true origin of Delaware County.”

The county marked its 224th birthday Thursday.

Before the five-hour festival kicked off, a couple hundred history buffs made their way out to Hannum’s Harley-Davidson in Chadds Ford for the second annual “Ride for History.”

“Last year’s ride was from Hannum’s to Harrah’s in Chester with no stops,” said Jeff Levine of Upper Chichester, a member of the Media-based Tri-State HOGS (Harley Owners Group). “This year, riders and car owners could choose from four routes that took them on a tour of historical sites in different parts of the county.”

Levine said the ride was expected to draw about 200 riders and raise roughly $4,000 for the Delaware County Historical Society’s “Passport to History” program.

“All the riders end up here at the park,” Levine said. “It’s amazing how this has come together and become such a big event in just one year.”

In addition to a full slate of entertainment in the park’s amphitheater, the free event featured antique car and motorcycle shows and a variety of vendors peddling everything from candles and soaps to jewelry and eyewear.

Delaware County Council enlisted the help of several organizations to plan and carry out the festival, including the county historical society, planning department, heritage commission, office of public relations, library system and Penn State Brandywine.

Representatives of each group met twice a month starting in May to put the event together.

Sue Serio, weather anchor of Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” served as master of ceremonies and PECO and Aqua America were the prime sponsors.

More than a dozen local historical societies and sites such as Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley and the Lazaretto property in Tinicum were represented at the festival.

“We want to be here with all the other historical societies in the county,” said Richard Kerr, curator and board member of the Haverford Township Historical Society. “We want to promote an interest in history and we hope people will find some of the interesting stories that existed right here back then,”

Kerr said each town in the county has both a unique and a shared history. “We put together a list of firsts and notables for Haverford Township. An example would be an Olympian named Jean Shiley whose family moved from Philadelphia ‘out to the country’ to a place called Brookline.”

A high jumper, Shiley participated in the 1928 Summer Olympics as a junior at Haverford High School and then bested the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias to capture the gold medal at the 1932 games in Los Angeles.

“When I started the project for this event, which is at history.havtrail.com ... I discovered all sorts of amazing things,” Kerr said.

David “Stands with Song” Hughes, principal chief of the Eagle Medicine Band of Cherokees, was pleased event organizers added a Native American component to the festival.

“I think people of Delaware County and surrounding areas should know about the first inhabitants, not just of this county but Pennsylvania and this country,” he said. “The vendors represent tribes from all across the United States and different tribal crafts that are hand-crafted by indigenous people.”

Those responsible for the festival are hoping it takes root.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day and we are hoping for a crowd of about 3,000,” Belanger said. “What we are having today is a first for the county. Hopefully, it will become a first annual.”

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About the Author

Tim Logue is a general assignment reporter for the Daily Times. Reach the author at tlogue@delcotimes.com
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